Many people suffer from bunions. Bunions are one of the most common foot ailments our podiatrists treat. Although men do suffer from bunions, women are much more likely to develop this type of foot deformity.

What is a bunion?

So, what is it? A bunion is a "bump" on the outer edge of your big toe and forms when bone or tissue at the big toe joint moves out of place. This misplaced bone or tissue will force the big toe to bend inward towards the others, causing a lump of bone on the foot to protrude outward causing that area to become sore. The joint where the lump forms carries a lot of the body's weight while walking, therefore, if a bunion is left untreated this area may become stiff or extremely painful for a person.

Causes

There is no one specific cause of bunions, but you can start by blaming genetics. Bunions tend to run in families and are caused by the foot type that is passed down from one generation to the next. If flat feet, low arches, arthritis or inflammatory joint disease can be used to describe your foot, you could develop a bunion.

Genetics aren't the only culprit, as footwear can play a role in bunion formation too! Shoes that are too tight or cause the toes to squeeze together can also be to blame. This is why women are more prone to forming bunions than men.

Who can help?

We can! Our podiatrists at DM Foot and Ankle are true experts when it comes to treating bunions both surgically and non-surgically. If you have a bunion and want to know where you stand, the best first step is to call our office at (630) 863-7517 and schedule an appointment to have one of our doctors evaluate it, take x-rays and discuss the best treatment option for you. We treat feet of all sizes and proudly serve Lemont, Lockport, Homer Glen, Orland Park and all surrounding communities!

Winter is the season for all of our favorite indoor sports. Our feet are not to be forgotten about in the midst of all the excitement during this season. We have put together some tips to keep in mind when picking out your shoe gear for your winter sports.

Basketball Shoes

Basketball shoe gear comes in 3 main styles: High-tops, mid-tops and low-tops. Regardless of which style you prefer, always be sure to have someone properly measure your foot for your correct shoe size.

· High Tops - High-top basketball shoes offer the most ankle support, but will be a bit heavier than the other styles due to the extra material. If you are looking for the most supportive basketball shoe and can handle some extra weight, this is the shoe for you.

· Mid-tops - The mid-top stops at ankle level which allows more freedom and movement than the high-top and still provides sufficient ankle support. This is most popular among basketball players.

· Low-tops - The main advantage of this style is that it is light weight which allows players optimize speed and quickness. However, this style does not offer much ankle support.

Hockey Skates

Hockey skates should fit 1-1.5 sizes smaller than your street shoes. Your toes should barely touch the toe cap and have no more than 1/4 of an inch of space in the heel. Once the skates have been laced up, they should feel snug with the foot resting flat.

Volleyball Shoes

The keys to an ideal volleyball shoe are: cushioning, stability, breathability and something lightweight. Cushioning is especially major for an every day player or someone who plays in tournaments. The stability a player gets from these shoes is important as no other shoe is made for all the motions of volleyball. That is why it is important to purchase an actual volleyball shoe when playing instead of trying to use your every day running shoes. Breathability is also important as this is what keeps your feet cool and dry, so look for a shoe that has mesh incorporated into it which will promote breathability. Most volleyball shoes are already made lightweight to allow them to respond to your every move quickly.

People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing foot issues. We have put a list together of complications you should be aware of if you or anyone you know is diabetic. If you or anyone you know is diabetic and is suffering from any of the following, call DM Foot & Ankle Associates at (630) 863-7517 to schedule a visit with one of our physicians today.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is nerve damage that can cause numbness, weakness and sometimes pain. This complication can cause you to lose feeling in your feet, which means a person with neuropathy could have a foot injury and not even know it since they cannot feel their feet. It is important that a person who suffers from diabetic neuropathy ensures they have proper fitting diabetic shoes. Shoes like this can be purchased from our office and sometimes billed to your insurance, depending on your insurance benefits.

Skin Changes

Diabetes can cause the skin on your feet to become very dry and possibly peel and crack. This is caused by the nerves that control the oil and moisture in your feet no longer working. To help with this issue, you should always apply a moisturizing cream to your feet after bathing and drying your feet completely. We recommend using Foot Miracle Cream regularly to keep your skin from drying out.

Calluses

Calluses in a person with diabetes may be covering up a deeper wound or ulceration if they are not trimmed or cared for properly. Never try to cut calluses yourself as this could lead to bigger issues. Always be sure to wear proper fitting shoes and inserts to avoid a callus from building up. Also, be sure to see your podiatrist to have these debrided regularly.

Foot Ulcers

Foot ulcers occur in about 15% of all diabetic patients and have the potential of becoming infected and eventually hospitalizing a diabetic patient due to the infection. 14-24% of patients with diabetes who develop a foot ulcer will require an amputation. Foot ulcers can be caused by a number of things such as: trauma, irritation, lack of feeling in the foot, foot deformities or poor circulation.

Poor Circulation

Do not ignore leg pain. It is important to discuss any leg or thigh pain that you may be experiencing with your podiatric physician as it may be a warning sign of a serious disease such as peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Symptoms of PAD include:

Fatigue, tiredness, or pain in your legs, thighs or buttocks that always happens when you walk but goes away when you rest.